Please enjoy this repost while I enjoy a little R&R at the beach!

Back at the resort, Suzy stepped out of the shower in her room, freshly clean from the day’s trek. She slipped into some hipsters and a light bra, a tee, then picked up the multicolored sarong from the edge of the bed. She wrapped the sarong around her waist, shaping it into a flowing skirt.

Once dressed, she slipped on some strappy sandals and headed out to enjoy a bite to eat in the resort’s restaurant. As she made her way into the restaurant, she could see through the open-air eatery to the ocean. “A seat with a view of the water, please.”

The host guided her to a table set for two with a view down the mountainside and overlooking the water. He handed her a simple menu with local fare and some American standards. She nodded at him with thanks and took her seat.

Suzy quickly looked over the menu and decided on something local, although she couldn’t quite pronounce it. She set the menu down and looked out over the view before her. It was breathtaking. The sun was settling low in the sky as a pair of scarlet macaws flew between the trees which framed her view. The crash of the waves below was distant but soothing. She could get lost in the beauty so easily. This is what would inspire her story for this trip.

A voice from behind startled her back. “Mind if I take a seat?”

She looked up and saw Steve standing there. “Of course! Please.” Her cheeks blushed briefly, but she hoped he would mistake it for the sun. “How was your time with the fellas at the waterfall?”

He scoffed. “I had more fun talking to you.” His lips curled a little at the edges when he spoke. “Anyway, where were we before they so rudely interrupted?” He rested his chin on the heel of his hand.

Suzy was flattered, but she wasn’t here for a fling, but rather work. But a little flirting wouldn’t hurt. “I think you were going to let me in on why you were really here…” She glanced down and then back at him.

Steve leaned forward and lowered her voice, “It was to meet you.” His grin turned sheepish.

Suzy couldn’t help but laugh and roll her eyes. “How many times has that line worked for you?”

Steve started laughing at himself, “Tried, once. And apparently it bombed!”

Both of them started laughing at the same time. Then Steve stopped, “Seriously, just here to relax and have a break from home. We cool?”

Suzy smiled, “Sure. Want to have dinner with me since you’re already here?” She handed him her menu.

They continued their conversation over dinner, exchanging tidbits. Suzy found him interesting and charming. He was interested in hiking and did photography and some marketing related writing of his own and was a bit of a math guy. It was a strange but familiar mix to her own life. By the end of the meals they were comparing stories about their families, travels and life.

The restaurant grew quiet and they realized they were the only remaining customers. Suzy looked around noting the waiter standing at the bar, chatting with the bartender. “I think they may want to head out.” She nodded in their direction.

Steve nodded, “Can I walk you back to your room?”

Suzy grinned and found herself uncannily comfortable with Steve. “Sure.”

As they walked through the resort, Steve found Suzy’s hand and slipped his into hers. She didn’t pull away; it was nice to have someone hold her hand after so long. They found their way down one of the corridors, and Suzy stopped in front of one of the suites.

“Well, this is me.”

Steve fiddled with her fingers for a moment, not wanting to let her go, but then released her hand. “Okay,” he stammered, “hav…have a good night.”

She slid her key into the lock and let herself in. She turned back and looked at Steve, “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Steve’s face lit up. “That would be nice.” He made sure her door securely closed before walking off to his room.

Suzy leaned against the inside of the door. She hadn’t felt this way in a long time.

Please enjoy this repost while I enjoy a little R&R at the beach!

They swam to shore, then walked over to her pack and took seats on opposing rocks. He towered over her short stature.

“I’m Steve, by the way,” he stated as he brushed some of the wetness off his head.

“Suzy, nice to meet you,” she responded as she took her towel and dried her legs, then laid the towel across her lap. She dug into her bag, “Sesame snaps?”

He smirked and took a pack from her. “What brings you out here?”

Suzy smiled. “Oh, I am a writer for a travel site. I get to go to fabulous places, do fun things, eat interesting food, and write about it.”

“All by yourself?” Steve’s eyebrow arched up.

“No, no. I arrive a couple days before my team. They’ll do all the videography, photography, and our model/spokesperson will show off what I find.”

“Sounds like a dream job,” he leaned toward her a bit, “traveling the world and such.”

“Well, I used to live behind my computer, basically 24/7, and decided finally, once I had a good cushion built up, to change it all.”

“Getting out of that grind is good!” Steve smirked as he leaned back and bit into one of the sesame snaps. He chewed a moment and looked back over.

She raised her eyes back towards his, “and, what’s your story?”

Steve shifted once more, setting his arms on his knees. She noticed his skin on his shins was slick and smooth, like that of a swimmer. His face soften a bit.

“I’m out here with some buddies. Getting away from the grind.” He laughed at his choice of words. Then he leaned forward and started to speak in a hushed voice, “Actually, I’m here to…”

A clamoring group of men walked out of the dense rainforest . “Hey! Steve!” The troop began to set down their gear.

Suzy looked over the group and then back at Steve. “I should let you get back to your friends.” She extended her hand, “Nice to meet you, Steve.”

Steve shook her hand, then smiled back at her and stood up, “Thanks, later!” He held up the remaining sesame snap as he waved goodbye to join his group.

Suzy waved, then turned back to her pack and pulled out her phone to grab a couple shots of the pools and waterfall. She then made a few notes and packed away her belongings.

She watched the guys goofing around and giggled to herself, then decided to head back. She slipped her shorts back on and her hikers, then quietly headed back into the rainforest, and back to the resort.

Please enjoy this repost while I enjoy a little R&R at the beach!

The dense tropical forest surrounded her. The calls of macaws echoed through the vines above. A lone hiker stopped along the trail, wiped the sweat from her brow, and sipped from her canteen.

She slipped the canteen back in her pack. That waterfall can’t be too far now, she thought to herself. She couldn’t wait to take a dip.

She listened for the sound of rushing waters, but was met only with rustling leaves and more birds. She picked up the pace after her rest, knowing it was not far now.

Ahead she spied a small man made bridge over a creek bed. It was small, but at last, a sign she was close. She continued on the trail.

She swiped her bare legs, flicking away a pest. Her shorts, cuffed, and tank, let her skin breathe in the humid climate. Her cropped hair was tucked into a boony which kept the sunlight off her freckled face.

She tugged on her tank to get a little air. It was hotter here than she expected and not much breeze found it’s way to the rainforest floor.

She rounded a bend of granite rocks and in the distance finally heard a rush of water. A slight coolness drifted across her face and she sighed in relief.

As she neared the waterfall, the stream became wider. She stopped a moment to feel the water; cool to the touch and refreshing. She splashed a little on her face.

Behind her, she heard the sound of leaves pushing against each other, like something moving between them. She stood up and looked over the area.

A toucan took flight and she smiled to herself. Silly girl! It’s just a bird, she scolded herself. She adjusted her pack and carried on.

Finally, the greenness on the trail gave way to flowering plants and a series of fairy pools being fed by a glorious waterfall. She had arrived at her destination.

She found a spot to enjoy the falls and set down her pack. She pulled out a small towel and took a seat, watching the water cascade over the rocks. The rock face was covered with flowering plants in yellow, pink, and white flowers. Their sweet aroma filled the air.

She rested back on her elbows and dipped her toe in the babbling water. Another round of brush swayed and made a bit of noise. She sat up and turned to see a monkey moving between the branches.

She heard how these cute creatures could easily steal your food, so she secured her pack as best she could. He didn’t seem interested as he climbed on and disappeared into the forest.

She decided to take a quick plunge in the large pool at the base of the falls. She looked around, and seeing no one, shimmied out of her shorts, then headed into the pool.

The water chilled her at first. Her skin was covered in goosebumps from the temperature of the pool. However, it was refreshing as she swam toward the falls. The sound of the falls grew louder, drowning out the sounds of the forest.

She looked back toward her pack and a few rocks over, saw some hikers and a rucksack. It surprised her as there was no one visible to her in the area. She scanned around trying to see if someone else was nearby, but saw no one.

Part of her thought was to go over there to check it out, but the water was so enticing, especially as the falls also splashed her from behind, she decided to stay put. She looked up to the sky and began floating on her back, drifting about the pool.

After a few minutes, she felt a tug in her shirt. Her eyes were closed, but she figured a stick or something had caught on her clothes, so she reached to clear it away. Then a hand grasped her wrist.

She opened her eyes in surprise. She looked over to see a man holding her arm. His mouth was moving, but his voice was muffled. She lifted up her head from the water.

“Are you okay?” the man repeated.

She looked at him groggily and shook her head. “Yes, just enjoying a float. Where did you come from?”

She looked him over and realized he was bare chested and quite handsome. His eyes, light blue with little flecks of grey and gold, danced in the sun’s rays. His face was thin with a three day shadow of golden blond/brown hair.

“I was behind the waterfall,” he breathed out as he realized he was still holding her wrist. He gently let go. “I just saw you laying there limp and was worried.”

She smiled and then shrugged. “I’m good. No damsel in distress. Thank you though.” She tilted her head a bit. “Hey, I have some snacks to enjoy, if you’d like to share?” She swore his face blushed a little.

He looked down to his hands and smiled, holding them up. “Yeah, I think I should get out. I’m shriveled up like a prune!” He showed her the deep grooves in his fingers.

She chuckled as she raised her hand, “Me too!”

…to be continued

Smoke floated upon the air. The smell of burning wood brought to mind cool fall nights, football games, and hot cocoa. She pulled her coat around her, inhaling his cologne that still lingered on her from his hug. A smile crept across her face.

Her suede boots crunched through the leaves. She turned down the side street and walked along the Williams Cemetery. Leaves blew about as the shadows grew long in the full moon.

She heard noise coming from behind the gates. A child cried in the distance.

Her mind told her that it couldn’t be; why would a child be in the graveyard at this time of night? But she couldn’t ignore the plea for help.

She lifted the metal bar holding the gate closed, and pulled open the heavy iron door. She stepped through and walked along the path.

She heard a squeal behind her then the click of the gate behind her. Startled, she spun around, but saw no one through the light and shadows.

The cry behind her beckoned once more. She cautiously walked across the field, weaving between headstones, until she arrived at a freshly dug grave.

She stopped as a chill went up her spin. A faint figure seemed to move in the distance. She rubbed her eyes, and the mirage disappeared as quickly as it came.

Something brushed up against her leg, startling her. She jumped and lost her footing, tripping on the pile of dirt and tumbling near the edge of the grave.

She escaped falling in, but her foot dangled over the edge. She then realized a small kitten was sitting near her. He approached her, brushing up against her once more and mewing aloud.

She laughed at herself. The baby crying was this little ball of fur. She scooped him up and buttoned up her jacket, giving him a safe place to warm up.

Soon she stood back up and returned to the gate. On the wind, she thought she heard a whisper. “Take care of my kitten, please.” She shook it off as her mind playing tricks.

She opened the gate and shut it behind her. She picked up the pace as she headed home. Her heels clicked faster until she was almost at a run. She clutched her new friend to her so he wouldn’t be afraid.

The front porch lights were a welcome sight. She slipped out of her boots and stepped inside. “I’m home!”

Her parents looked up and the sight of dismay gave way to relief.

“What’s wrong?” She looked at them perplexed.

“Little Suzy was killed tonight, the little girl up the street. She was looking for her kitten, Jax, when she was hit by a car.”

She paused and gasped. She fished the little kitten from her coat. A tear ran down her face. “I think I found him.”